Many clients report a mix of nervousness and excitement for the their first therapy appointment with me. I hope that it helps soothe some fears to know what you can expect. Our initial session is 60-minutes long. This gives us a bit of extra time to go over important ethical and legal information such as informed consent, practice policies, and privacy policies. You’ll receive access to all relevant paperwork that describes these policies prior to attending your first appointment. However, I know not everyone fully reads through legal documents before signing, so I like to ensure that you’re aware of the main takeaway points. I’ll be sure to check in to see if you have any questions or concerns about anything discussed.

Once we clear policies and paperwork, my favorite part of session can begin - learning about you! For some clients, this part can be a bit intimidating, while others find great relief in having a safe space to process. I understand that you cannot tell me everything about you in our first hour together. You’re a complex, intersectional being, after-all! It’s alright if it takes some time to build up mutual trust and rapport. I know that I may still feel like a stranger to you at that point. I often remind my clients that I want them to feel as comfortable as possible. Please note the “as possible” in my last sentence. Therapy has a way of making some people feel inherently uncomfortable. Talking about your past, trauma, fears, concerns, hopes, dreams, and more can be very intimidating or painful. That being said, oftentimes the magic happens when we exit our comfort zones. That magic is growth. Still, we can move at a pace that feels right for you!

Although you will have completed some initial paperwork via the SimplePractice Secure Client Portal prior to attending your initial appointment, I’ll be curious to learn about your first 18 trips around the Sun, your past and present relationships with family, friends, and significant other(s), and what your day-to-day looks like. Next, we’ll dive a little deeper into your reasons for seeking counseling. I want to get an understanding of your concerns and goals, and the contextual factors that impact them. Once we are on the same page for what you’d like to work on, we can break down larger goals into smaller parts and discuss how we will measure your growth and progress overall.

Many clients note that the first session tends to fly by. At the end, we will talk about resources or “homework”. I like to give my clients something to focus on in between appointments. This helps promote growth not only in session, but outside of it. I’ll want to know how you like to learn and process, and provide resources that are relevant to the therapeutic process and your specific concerns. Then, if you’re feeling like we’re a good fit for one another, we can schedule your follow-up appointment(s). Still hungry for more information? Read on!

I do not practice from a one-size-fits-all approach. This means no two therapy sessions are alike, just as no two clients are exactly alike. However, I can imagine that you’d like to know what you can anticipate for your sessions with me. Read on for more information about what to expect from our work together.

Your subsequent sessions will be 45-minutes, unless we decide a 30-minute or 90-minute session is more fitting for your scheudle and needs. Whereas the initial session tends to focus on gaining a basic overview of you as a human and your goals for therapy, follow up sessions is where we can metaphorically roll up our sleeves and get to work. Yes, I said “work”.

I find that my clients who get the most out of therapy tend to come to their sessions prepared. You can prepare for therapy in numerous ways. One way to ready yourself for sessions is to know what you’d like to focus on for that day. Some clients like to keep a running list on their phone or notebook of concerns that pop up throughout their week. Other clients have very specific things that they like to continually process and explore for multiple sessions. Again - I think of therapy as a collaborative process. You bring the concerns or content, and I’ll provide you with prompting, questions, and gentle challenges to facilitate deeper exploration and insight. Another way to prepare is by engaging with the resources or homework I send you in between sessions. I’m not your teacher, or your parent, so I’m not disappointed if you forget to look at resources or run out of time. However, I anecdotally have noticed that my clients who consistently show up for therapy and utilize resources outside of session tend to meet their goals more efficiently.

Periodically, we will check in on your goals, progress, and therapeutic needs. This will enable us to determine both the duration and frequency of therapy moving forward.